Norman Baker, from the Campaign for Better Transport, said: “This is a deeply retrograde step which will do nothing to tackle carbon emissions or air pollution and will disadvantage parallel rail freight routes. However, despite the congestion benefits, some groups have raised concerns about the safety of the longer vehicles posed risks to cyclists and pedestrians, while also raising concerns about the damage to road infrastructure.ĭuring a consultation into the trial, two thirds of respondents said they thought that longer lorries would increase safety risks for cyclists and pedestrians, while 21 per cent said that there were also safety implications for road infrastructure. The legislation will mean that companies could start rolling out longer vehicles by May 31. “That’s why we’re introducing longer semi-trailers to carry more goods in fewer journeys and ensure our shops, supermarkets and hospitals are always well stocked." Richard Holden, the roads minister, said: “A strong, resilient supply chain is key to the Government’s efforts to grow the economy. The Government predicts that the new legislation will take one in every 12 lorries off the road and create £1.4 billion in economic benefits. The decision comes after an 11-year trial that has seen several companies use longer vehicles to transport goods allowed on UK roads. It also believes that the longer lorries would result in fewer potholes as there would be no change to the maximum weight of a lorry, and the way the longer vehicles are constructed would result in less surface damage.
The Government estimates that the extension will result in an 8 per cent reduction in lorry journeys and lead to less traffic for all other vehicles.
Legislation will be laid on May 10 that will mean the legal length for lorries on UK roads can be extended to 18.5m (61ft), 2.05m longer than the current length.
Longer lorries will be allowed on UK roads next month in a bid to reduce traffic, the Government has announced.
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